■•'-v^    X^,„,*^^  Issued  NovemJ 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICUL 

BUREAU  OF  SOILS— MILTON  WHITNEY, 


SOIL  SURVEY  OF  THE  REDDING  AREA, 
CALIFORNIA. 


MACY  H.  LAPHAM  and  L.  C.  HOLMES. 


[AdTance  Sheets— Field  Operations  ef  the  Bureau  of  Soils,  1907.] 


WASHINGTON: 


GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 


1908. 

UCLA  SELVGeology  Collection 


[PuBLK^   Resolution" — No.  9.] 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  Amending  public  resolution  numbered  eight,  Fifty-sixth  Congress,  second 
session,  approved  February  twenty-third,  nineteen  hundred  and  one,  "providing  for  the  printing 
annually  of  the  report  on  field  operations  of  the  Division  of  Soils,  Department  of  Agriculture." 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  ■  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America  in 
Congress  assembled.  That  public  resolution  numbered  eight,  Fifty-sixth  Congress, 
second  session,  approved  February  twenty-third,  nineteen  hundred  and  one,  be 
amended  by  striking  out  all  after  the  resolving  clau.=!e  and  inserting  in  lieu  thereof 
the  following: 

That  there  shall  be  printed  ten  thou.sand  five  hundred  copies  of  the  report  on  field 
operations  of  the  Division  of  Soils,  Department  of  Agriculture,  of  which  one  thousand 
five  hundred  copies  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  three  thousand  copies  for  the 
use  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  six  thousand  copies  for  the  use  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agi'iculture:  Provided,  That  in  addition  to  the  number  of  copies  above  pro- 
vided for  there  shall  be  printed,  as  soon  as  the  manuscript  can  be  prepared,  with  the 
necessary  maps  and  illustrations  to  accompany  it,  a  report  on  each  area  surveyed, 
in  the  form  of  advance  sheets,  bound  in  paper  covers,  of  which  five  hundred  copies 
shall  be  for  the  use  of  each  Senator  from  the  State,  two  thousand  copies  for  the  use  of 
each  JRepresentative  for  the  Congressional  district  or  districts  in  which  the  survey  is 
made,  and  one  thousand  copies  for  the  use  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

Approved  March  14,  1904. 

[On  .July  1,  1901,  the  Division  of  Soils  was  reorganized  as  the  Bureau  of  Soils.] 


Issued  November  14,  1908. 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OE  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  SOILS— MILTON  WHITNEY,  Chief. 


SOIL  SURVEY  OF  THE  REDDING  AREA, 
CALIFORNIA. 


MACY  H.  LAPHAM  and  L.  C.  HOLMES. 


[Advance  Sheets— Field  Operations  of  the  Bureau  of  Soils,  1907.] 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1908. 


LETTER  OE  TRANSMriTAL. 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Bureau  of  Soils, 
WasUngton,  D.  C,  April  2 4,  1908. 
Sir:  A  soil  survey  of  the  Redding  area,  California,  was  instituted 
in  the  summer  of  1907  at  the  request  of  the  Shasta  County  Board  of 
Trade  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  extent  and  varieties  of  the 
soils  and  the  possibilities  of  the  further  agricultural  development  of 
the  area.  This  work  is  a  part  of  the  extension  of  the  soil  surveys  in 
the  Sacramento  Valley  called  for  by  numerous  resolutions  from 
boards  of  trade  of  all  the  representative  cities  of  the  valley,  the  Sac- 
ramento Valley  Development  Association,  California  Water  and 
Forest  Association,  etc.,  which  have  been  indorsed  by  Hon.  George  C. 
Perkins  and  Hon.  F.  P.  Flint.  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith 
the  report  and  map  covering  these  investigations  and  to  recommend 
their  publication  as  advance  sheets  of  the  Field  Operations  of  the 
Bureau  of  Soils  for  1907,  as  provided  by  law. 
Respectfully, 

Milton  Whitney, 

Chief  of  Bureau. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 


Geol. 

Lib. 

S 

CI 

CONTENTS. 


Paga 
Soil  Survey  of  the  Redding  Area,  California.     By  Macy  H.  Lapham 

and  L.  C.  Holmes 5 

Description  of  the  area 5 

Climate ^ 7 

Agriculture 9 

Soils 13 

Redding  gravelly  loam 15 

Redding  loam 18 

Rough  stony  land 19 

Anderson  gravelly  loam 20 

Anderson  fine  sandy  loam 21 

Bellavista  sandy  loam 22 

Riverwash 23 

Sacramento  gravelly  sandy  loam 24 

Sacramento  fine  sandy  loam 24 

Sacramento  silt  loam : 25 

Sacramento  loam 26 

Irrigation 27 

Summary 28 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


figure. 

Page 
Fig.  1.  Sketch  map  showing  location  of  the  Redding  area,  California 5 

MAP. 

Soil  map.  Redding  sheet,  California. 


SOIL  SURVEY  OF  THE  REDDING  AREA,  CALIFORNIA. 

By  MACY  H.  LAPHAM  and  L.  C.  HOLMES. 
DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    AREA. 

The  Reddino^  area  covers  about  200  square  miles,  embracin_fr  tlie 
principal  agricultural  district  of  Shasta  County,  Cal.  It  is  irregular 
in  outline  and  extends  north  from  Cottonwood  Creek,  which  here 
forms  the  southern  boundary  of  Shasta  County,  a  distance  of  some 
20  miles.  From  east 
to  west  its  greatest 
breadth  is  slightly  less 
than  16  miles. 

It  occupies  the  up- 
per or  northern  part  of 
the  great  depression 
known  as  the  Sacra- 
mento Valley.  This 
depression,  constitut- 
ing the  most  impor- 
tant agricultural  re- 
gion of  the  northern 
half  of  the  State,  is 
about  4,000  square 
miles  in  extent.  It  is 
inclosed  by  the  Sierra 
Nevada  and  the  Lassen 
Peak  Ridge  of  the  Cas- 
cade Moimtains  upon 
the  east,  the  Coast 
Range  upon  the  west, 
and  the  Klamath  Moun- 
tains, formed  by  the 
coalescing  of  these 
ranges,  upon  the  north. 

The  extreme  northern  part  of  this  depression  is  cut  off  from  the 
main  valley  of  the  Sacramento  River  by  a  low,  wooded  ridge  extending 
outward  from  the  foothills  upon  each  side  of  the  valle}',  through 
which  a  short  distance  north  of  the  town  of  Red  BluflP  the  Sacramento 
passes  by  a  narrow  gorge  known  as  Iron  Can^'on.     The  valley  proper 


Fig.  1.— Sketch  map  showing  location  of  the  Kedding  area, 
California. 


6  FIELD    OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 

has  been  eroded  by  the  Sacramento  liiver  from  the  stream  deposits  of 
days,  sands,  and  gravels  laid  down  at  an  earlier  period  in  this  depres- 
sion. The  valley  within  the  area  surveyed  is  from  a  half  mile  to  3  miles 
in  mdth.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  town  of  Anderson  it  attains  its 
maximum  width  and  greatest  agricultural  importance,  and  it  is  here 
known  as  the  Anderson  Valley.  The  Sacramento  River,  which 
traverses  the  area  in  a  southeasterly  direction  and  flows  through  a  wide 
and  generally  shallow  channel,  often  marked  by  riffles  formed  by 
gravel  bars,  is  frequently  bordered  by  sand  bars  and  wooded  bottoms, 
or  by  bluffs  sometimes  rising  to  nearly  100  feet  in  height.  The 
valley  bottoms  support  a  vigorous  growth  of  valley  oak  or  a  dense 
covering  of  cottonwood  and  sycamore,  with  an  almost  impenetrable 
undergrowth  of  ''willows,"  brush,  and  vines.  The  adjacent  valley 
slopes  are  usually  dotted  with  groves  or  individual  oaks  and  support 
during  the  winter  and  early  summer  a  good  growth  of  nutritious 
grasses. 

West  and  southwest  of  the  Sacramento  River  and  its  recent  valley 
the  survey  embraces  a  comparatively  large  tract  of  rolling  or  sloping 
plateaulike  country,  often  greatly  dissected  by  streams,  and  made  up 
of  earlier  stream  deposits  from  100  to  200  feet  or  more  above  the  recent 
valley  floor,  from  which  it  is  generally  separated  by  well-marked 
bluffs  or  terraces.  Tliis  rolling  or  elevated  plateaulike  country 
extends  beyond  the  western  boundary  of  the  area  and  merges  in  the 
foothills  of  the  Klamath  Mountains.  Its  numerous  minor  stream 
valleys  are  generally  more  or  less  forested  with  live  and  deciduous 
oaks  and  digger  pines,  and  are  often  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of 
chaparral  consisting  of  manzanita,  coffee  berry,  and  ceanothus. 
East  from  Anderson,  where  this  region  becomes  important  agricul- 
turally, it  is  known  as  Happy  Valley.  The  main  tributary  streams  of 
the  Sacramento  in  this  section  of  the  area  are  Cottonwood  and  Clear 
creeks,  which  traverse  narrow  valleys  and  maintain  a  small  flow  of 
water  throughout  the  dry  season.  The  Clear  Creek  bottoms,  as  is  the 
case  in  other  parts  of  the  area,  have  been  more  or  less  disturbed  by 
hydraulic  mining  operations  and  the  stream  courses  partially  filled  or 
obstructed  by  debris. 

The  northern  half  of  that  portion  of  the  area  lying  east  of  the  Sacra- 
mento River  is  similar  in  character  to  the  Happy  Valley  section,  but 
is  rougher,  more  deeply  dissected  by  stream  courses,  and  has  some- 
what shallower  soils.  It  is  bounded  upon  the  north  and  west  by  a 
region  of  shallow,  rocky,  residual  soils  of  the  mining  district  of  the 
Klamath  Mountains  and  adjacent  foothills.  In  the  southern  half  of 
tliis  section  these  wooded  rolling  hills  gradually  give  way  to  gently 
sloping  treeless  plains  known  locall}"  as  the  Stillwater  Plains.  Here 
is  found  a  shallow,  gravelly  soil,  which,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  narrow 
stream  valleys  or  minor  stream  courses,  supports  some  timber. 


SOIL   SURVEY    OF    THE    REDDING    AREA,    CALIFORNIA.  7. 

The  northern  and  eastern  parts  of  the  area  are  drained  principally 
by  Churn,  Stillwater,  and  Cow  creeks,  which  flow  south.  It  is  prin- 
cipally in  the  narrow  valleys  of  these  streams  that  the  farming  lands 
of  this  district  are  located. 

By  far  the  greater  part  of  the  agricultural  population  is  confined  to 
the  Anderson  and  Happy  valleys,  where  in  places  the  country  is  quite 
thickly  settled.  In  other  parts  of  these  districts,  where  the  farms  are 
larger  and  farm  dwellings  some  distance  apart  or  where  the  land  is  un- 
cleared of  timber  and  brush  and  used  only  for  grazing,  the  population 
is  rather  sparse.  In  the  rougher  and  more  hilly  districts  and  upon  the 
treeless  plains  of  the  southeastern  part  of  the  area  the  population  is 
confined  to  a  few  small  clearings  or  cultivated  farms  upon  the  uplands 
and  in  the  minor  stream  valleys.  The  farming  class  is  of  a  cosmo- 
politan character,  dra^\^l  not  only  from  the  various  parts  of  the  United 
States  but  from  foreign  countries. 

Redding,  the  county  seat  of  Shasta  County,  now  has  a  population 
of  about  5,000,  and  is  the  principal  town.  It  is  a  shipping  center 
and  outfitting  point  for  near-by  mining  camps,  which  have  contributed 
greatly  to  its  development.  Anderson,  having  a  population  of  about 
1,000,  is  the  main  fruit-shipping  point  and  agricultural  center. 
Cottonwood,  a  smaller  town  near  the  southern  boundary,  is  the  center 
of  a  small  fruit  district.  Bellavista,  a  little  town  near  the  northeast 
boundary,  is  the  site  of  a  lumber  mill  and  box  factory  of  considera- 
ble size. 

Transportation  is  furnished  principally  by  the  Portland  and  San 
Francisco  branch  of  the  Southern  Pacific  Railway.  The  Anderson 
and  Bellavista  Railway,  connecting  Anderson  with  Bellavista,  is  used 
mainly  for  lumber  and  ore  shipments. 

The  Redding  area  is  well  provided  with  public  roads,  wliich  in  the 
more  thickly  settled  districts  are  of  excellent  character. 

Fruits  and  other  farm  products  are  shipped  to  the  East,  to  San 
Francisco  and  vicinity,  and  to  Portland  and  other  cities  to  the  north. 
The  towns  and  mining  camps  of  northern  California  and  Oregon  also 
afford  excellent  markets  for  fruits,  vegetables,  hay,  poultry,  and 
dairy  products. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  the  Redding  area  is  characterized  by  a  long,  warm, 
dry  summer  season,  followed  by  a  mild,  rainy  ^\-inte^  season. 

The  normal  annual  precipitation  at  Redtling,  at  an  elevation  of  552 
feet,  is  reported  by  the  United  States  Weather  Bureau  as  36.11  inches. 
This  is  somewhat  in  excess  of 'the  rainfall  reported  for  the  more  south- 
ern Sacramento  Valley  points,  the  precipitation,  for  instance,  at  Red 
Bluff — elevation,  309  feet — at  the  head  of  the  main  valley,  being  26.1 1 
inches.  Owing  to  slightly  greater  elevation  and  proximity  to  the 
mountains  it  is  probable  that  at  Reddmg  it  is  somewhat  greater  than 


8 


FIELD   OPEEATIONS    OF    THE    BUEEAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 


at  Anderson  and  over  the  principal  agricultural  section  of  the  area, 
but  no  data  covering  the  latter  district  could  be  obtained.  At  Shasta, 
outside  the  limits  of  the  survej^,  5  miles  northwest  of  Redding,  in  the 
foot  hills,  at  an  elevation  of  1,148  feet,  the  precipitation  is  49.90 
inches. 

During  the  summer  local  showers,  sometimes  accompanied  by 
thunder  and  lightning  or  hail,  are  of  occasional  occurrence.  Very 
little  rain  falls  from  May  to  October.  During  the  winter  showers  and 
rainy  spells,  sometimes  continuing  for  two  or  three  days,  alternate  with 
periods  of  fair  weather.  The  rains  are  usually  gentle,  but  the  pro- 
nounced slopes  carry  off  much  that  might  be  absorbed  by  the  soil. 
During  the  long  dry  period  the  native  grasses  dry  up  and  the  coun- 
try appears  somewhat  barren.  Much  of  this  naturally  cured  grass, 
however,  is  quite  nutritious.  The  first  fall  rains  start  a  new  and 
abundant  growth  of  pasture  grasses.  In  the  more  elevated  parts 
of  the  valley  snow  sometimes  falls,  but  this  is  rare,  and  it  never 
remains  on  the  ground  for  any  length  of  time. 

The  normal  monthly  and  annual  temperature  and  precipitation, 
as  published  in  the  official  records  of  the  United  States  Weather 
Bureau  for  stations  at  Redding  and  Red  Bluff,  are  given  in  the  follow- 
mg  table: 

Normal  monthly  and  annual  temperature  and  precipitation. 


Redding. 

Red  Bluff. 

Month. 

.  Redding. 

Red  Bluflf. 

Month. 

Temper- 
ature. 

Precip- 
itation. 

Temper- 
ature. 

Precip- 
itation. 

Temper- 
ature. 

Precip- 
itation. 

Temper- 
ature. 

Precip- 
itation. 

January  

February  

March 

°F. 
45.2 
49.3 
53.8 
60.2 
67.2 
75.6 
82.3 

In. 
7.29 
4.22 
4.75 
3.01 
2.19 
.79 
.09 

°F. 
44.9 
49.0 
54.5 
59.3 
67.0 
74.4 
81.8 

In. 
4.67 
3.70 
3.27 
2.16 
1.33 
.49 
.03 

August 

September  .. 

October 

November  . . 
December... 

Year. . 

°F. 
8i.0 
74.0 
64.5 
54.1 
47.0 

In. 

.09 

.67 

2.48 

3.79 

6.74 

°F. 
81.1 
73.8 
63.5 
53.9 
46.7 

In. 

.02 

.67 

1.36 

3.10 

May. 

5.31 

July 

62.9 

36.11 

62.5 

26.11 

The  normal  annual  temperature,  as  will  be  observed  from  the  above 
table  at  Redding,  is  62.9°  and  at  Red  Bluff  62.5°  F.  At  Sacra- 
mento, upon  the  south  and  160  miles  distant  from  Redding  in  an 
air  line,  it  is  60°  or  2.5°  less  than  at  Red  Bluff.  July  is  usually  the 
hottest  month,  the  thermometer  during  the  summer  frequently 
having  a  daily  maximum  of  more  than  100°  F.  At  Red  Bluff  the 
highest  recorded  temperature  is  114°  F.  While  the  summer  tem- 
perature is  sometimes  extreme  the  nights  are  usually  cool  and  pleas- 
ant, the  relative  humidity  low,  and  hot  winds  less  frequent  than  to 
the  south  in  the  main  valley. 


SOIL   SURVEY   OF   THE   REDDING  AREA,   CALIFORNIA. 


9 


The  minimum  temperature  recorded  at  Red  Bluff  is  18°  F.  The 
jfrosts,  which  are  of  frequent  occurrence  during  the  winter,  are,  how- 
ever, usually  not  severe,  and  hardy  vegetables  remain  in  the  ground 
uninjured  during  the  winter.  The  dates  of  first  and  last  killing 
frosts  at  Redding  and  Red  Bluff  as  reported  by  the  Weather  Bureau 
follow : 

Dates  of  first  and  last  killing  frosts. 


Redding. 

Red  Bluff. 

Year. 

Last  in 
spring. 

First  in 
fall. 

Last  in  First  in 
spring.        fall. 

1897 

Mar.  30     Dec    20 

1898 

Mar.  27 
May     1 
Feb.     9 
Mar.  14 

Mar.  18     Dee      9 

1899 

Dee.   14 
Dec.     3 
Nov.  20 
Dec.     5 
Oct.    17 
Nov.  18 

Nov.  23 

Feb.     7     Dpp    \q 

1900 

Dec.   30 

1902 

1903 

Mar.    9 

T>fo       7 

1905 

May     1 
Mar.  1.5 

Mar.  27 

Apr.  4  ,  Nov.  28 
Mar    15     Nov  24 

1906 

Average 

Mar.  14     Dpp    ii 

There  is  in  general  a  well-marked  wind  movement,  the  prevailing 
directions  being  north  and  southeast.  Violent  storms  or  gales  are 
rare. 

Fogs  are  infrequent  and  are  generally  confined  to  local  stream 
valleys.  There  is  an  unusually  high  percentage  of  fair  weather 
throughout  the  year,  the  average  number  of  clear  days  at  Red  Bluff 
being  given  as  218,  and  the  average  number  of  rainy  days  75. 

The  climate  is,  upon  the  whole,  healthful,  favorable  to  crop  pro- 
duction, a  long  groM-ing  period,  and  to  the  summer  curing  of  fruits. 
Farming  operations  suffer  comparatively  little  interruption  from  frosts 
or  other  climatic  conditions  throughout  the  year. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Prior  to  the  discovery  of  gold  there  were  few  wliite  settlers  in 
northern  California  and  agriculture  had  hardly  been  attempted.  In 
1844  the  San  Buenaventura  grant,  consisting  of  26,632  acres,  Ij^ing 
along  the  western  side  of  the  Sacramento  River  and  almost  wholly 
witliin  the  limits  of  the  Redding  area,  had  been  acquired  from 
the  Mexican  Government  b}^  Maj.  P.  B.  Reading,  a  central  figure 
in  the  early  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  State.  This  grant  covered 
the  greater  part  of  the  most  productive  section  of  the  Andei-son  Val- 
ley, and  the  first  ranch  house  was  established  in  this  valley  near  the 
mouth  of  Cottonwood  Creek.  As  wild  oats  and  native  grasses  were 
abundant  the  earlj'  agriculture  consisted  mainl}^  in  the  raising  of 
stock. 

42007—08 2 


10  FIELD   OPERATIONS   OF    THE   BUREAU    OF   SOILS,  1907. 

The  discover}'  of  gold  in  1849  and  1850  brought  prospectors  into 
northern  Cahfornia,  and  the  town  of  Shasta  was  soon  after  founded 
and  became  the  center  of  the  mining  industry  and  the  principal  set- 
tlement of  this  section  of  the  State,  although  smaller  minmg  towns 
soon  sprang  up. 

The  settlement  of  the  country  by  prospectors  created  a  demand 
for  hay,  grains,  fresh  and  dried  fruits,  and  vegetables,  which  was 
only  supplied  b}^  the  limited  number  who  refrained  from  the  search 
for  gold  and  undertook  the  production,  by  primitive  methods,  of 
these  crops.  Fresh  vegetables  were  considered  luxuries  at  this  time, 
and  wild  ha}^  from  the  Cow  Creek  bottoms  is  said  to  have  been  sold 
in  the  mining  camps  for  $150  per  ton. 

With  the  building  of  the  railroad  in  the  early  seventies  the  new 
town  of  Redding  increased  in  importance  and  became  the  metropolis 
of  the  district  and  Shasta  was  abandoned.  Shipment  of  fruits  and 
farm  produce  to  a  distance  was  now  possible  and  the  agricultural 
resources  were  rapidly  developed.  The  production  of  green  and  dried 
fruits,  consisting  of  prunes,  peaches,  and  pears,  became  of  much 
importance  in  the  Anderson  Valley.  Fruit  production  was  soon 
taken  up  by  the  Happy  Valley  section,  which  came  into  prominence 
about  1883  and  1884,  and  the  fruit  industry  has  been  steadily  devel- 
oped in  both  places. 

In  the  Anderson  and  adjacent  minor  stream  valleys  prunes  are 
the  leading  crop,  followed  by  peaches,  pears,  and,  to  a  much  less 
extent,  by  grapes  and  small  fruits.  Fig  trees  bear  abundantly,  but 
figs  are  grown  only  for  home  use.  Alfalfa  is  produced  to  a  small 
extent,  and  with  proper  care  and  irrigation  should  produce  5  tons 
per  acre.  Even  without  irrigation  three  crops  can  be  cut  each  season 
in  some  sections  of  the  bottom  lands  well  suited  to  its  production.  It 
is  usually  baled  at  a  cost  of  about  $2  per  ton  and  generally  brings 
from  $12  to  $15  per  ton  baled,  on  the  ground.  The  trucking  industiy 
is  locally  of  considerable  importance  and  is  largely  controlled  by 
Cliinese.  Grains,  consisting  of  wheat  and  barley,  are  grown  quite 
extensively,  but  much  less  than  in  the  more  southern  part  of  the 
Sacramento  Valle}-^,  the  greater  proportion  of  these  crops  being  cut 
green  for  hay.  Dairying  and  poultry  raising  are  carried  on  only  to 
a  limited  extent.  The  products  of  these  industries,  however,  bring 
good  prices. 

In  the  Happy  Valley  district  general  farming  is  practiced  on  a 
small  scale,  the  valley  being  essentially  a  fruit-producing  section. 
Peaches  are  the  leading  crop,  followed  by  table  grapes,  strawberries, 
and  bramble  fruits.  The  peaches  are  well  colored  and  of  particu- 
larly fine  flavor.     Strawberries  and  bramble  fruits  yield  abundantly. 

The  value  of  orchard  products  for  Shasta  County,  according  to  the 
United  States  Census  for  1900,  was  $110,276,  a  sum  which  has  been 


SOIL   SURVEY   OF   THE   REDDING  AREA,   CALIFORNIA.  11 

greatly  increased  b}"  more  recent  development  of  the  fruit-producing 
industries.  The  season  is  in  general  somewhat  later  than  that  of 
the  Santa  Clara  and  more  southern  Sacramento  Valley  points.  The 
products  are  shipped  in  both  the  green  and  dried  states,  in  carload 
lots,  to  the  Eastern  States  and  to  Europe. 

Prunes  probably  constitute  the  leading  crop,  the  production  for 
the  season  of  1907  being  estimated  at  2,200  tons,  or  110  carloads  at 
20  tons  })er  car.  The  crop  usually  brings  from  3  to  3h  cents  a  ])oun(i. 
The  French  prune  is  the  leading  variety,  and  the  harvesting  begins 
about  September  1,  at  which  time  weather  conditions  are  favorable, 
although  showers  sometimes  occur  during  the  curing  period.  Peaches 
are  next  in  importance.  The  fruit  is  shipped  both  green  and  dried. 
Most  of  the  smaller  express  shipments  of  the  green  fruit  go  to  north- 
ern California  and  Oregon.  The  leading  varieties  are  the  Muir, 
Crawford,  Imperial,  and  Foster,  the  Muir  and  Crawford  predom- 
inating. For  diying  the  Muir  is  reported  to  be  the  favorite.  The 
total  production  of  dried  peaches  in  favorable  seasons  is  in  the 
neighborhood  of  500  tons. 

Pear  growing,  both  for  sliipment  green  and  for  drying,  has  been  an 
attractive  and  important  industry,  but  o^\dng  to  ravages  of  the  blight 
production  in  this  section  has  of  late  fallen  off.  Many  of  the  orchards 
have  ceased  bearing  and  are  being  replaced  by  other  crops.  This 
disease,  of  a  bacterial  nature,  can  be  checked  and  eradicated  only  by 
persistent  and  vigorous  cutting.  Mr.  Chris  Thorsing,  horticultural 
commissioner  of  Shasta  County,  reports  excellent  success  in  combat- 
ing the  blight  in  his  orchard,  located  5  miles  southeast  of  Anderson.'* 
With  the  certaint}^  of  a  scarcity  of  pears,  the  grower  who  is  able  to 
maintain  clean  and  productive  orchards  of  this  fruit  should  be  able  to 
obtain  a  very  good  profit.  Many,  however,  prefer  to  replace  pear 
trees  with  prune  and  peach  trees. 

Of  the  truck  crops  produced,  tomatoes  are  of  particularly  fine 
quality  and  large  size  and  bear  abundantly. 

The  raising  of  cattle,  sheep,  goats,  and  hogs  is  an  industry  of  con- 
siderable importance  and  yields  good  returns,  although  improvement 
in  breeds  and  types  and  in  care  of  the  stock  is  to  be  desired.  The 
herds  are  usually  grazed  m  the  mountains  during  the  dry  summer 
season. 

The  adaptability  of  certain  soils  to  particular  fruits  is  usually  well 
recognized.  The  prune  industry  is  practical^  confined  to  the  deeper 
friable  loams  of  the  Sacramento  and  other  stream  bottoms.  Pears 
are  mostly  grown  upon  soils  of  a  similar  character,  although  those 

o  See  Report  of  Thirty-first  Fruit  Growers'  Convention  of  California,  1906.  See  Pear 
Blight,  Cause  and  Preventative,  Reprint  of  Ignited  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 
190G;  Commercial  Pear  Culture,  Reprint  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agri- 
culture, 1900. 


12  FIELD   OPERATIONS   OF    THE   BUREAU    OF   SOILS,  1907. 

grown  on  the  shallower  red  soils  of  the  Happy  Valley  section  are  less 
succulent  and  of  less  vigorous  growth,  but  are  not  so  liable  to  attack 
by  blight.  Peaches  are  usually  planted  on  gravelly  sloping  valley 
lands  or  on  the  more  elevated  shallow  soils  of  the  Happy  Valley 
district.  It  is  believed  that  the  influence  of  the  shallower  and  some- 
what less  productive  soils  of  this  district  tends  to  smaller  tree  growth 
and  lower  yields,  but  the  fruit  is  exceptionally  fine  in  color,  size,  and 
flavor. 

Grain  and  grain  hay  are  grown  by  a  system  of  dry  farming  and 
summer  fallowing.  Little  attempt  is  now  made  to  grow  alfalfa  or 
other  deep-rooted  crops  upon  the  shallow  upland  soils,  and  consider- 
able loss  has  been  met  with  in  the  past  from  planting  fruit  upon  shallow 
dry  lands.  Such  injury  has  been  particularly  apparent  in  the  case  of 
young  orchards  at  first  irrigated,  but  to  which  water  was  later  denied, 
or  where  attempts  were  made  to  produce  orchard  fruits  entirely  with- 
out irrigation  in  unfavorable  locations.  Grapes  do  well  upon  the 
deeper  phases  of  the  shallow  upland  soils  when  irrigated  or  even 
without  irrigation  if  intensively  and  thoroughly  cultivated.  It  is 
quite  possible  that  a  profitable  field  awaits  the  development  of  this 
industry  upon  much  of  the  upland  part  of  the  area  now  utilized  only 
for  grazing  purposes,  if  attended  wath  care  in  the  selection  of  soils  and 
systematic  and  thorough  cultivation. 

Rotation  of  crops  and  the  use  of  commercial  fertilizers  are  practiced 
to  a  limited  extent,  but  barnyard  and  green  manures  should  be  more 
generally  used.  The  better  and  more  profitable  orchards  are  usually 
well  cultivated,  but  in  many  places  the  importance  of  frequent  and 
clean  cultivation  is  little  appreciated.  Throughout  the  northern  part 
of  the  area,  over  which  small  unirrigated  orchard  and  vineyard  tracts 
are  frequently  found,  much  of  the  loss  from  the  "going  back"  or 
dying  of  the  trees  or  vines  is  commonly  attributed  to  the  poisonous 
effects  of  fumes  from  the  smelters  of  the  mining  district.  The, 
evidence,  however,  seems  to  point  rather  to  unfortunate  selection  of 
soils  and  lack  of  careful  cultivation  as  the  real  causes  of  the  trouble, 
although  much  injury  to  the  native  vegetation  from  smelter  fumes 
has  taken  place  to  the  northwest  of  the  area. 

During  the  fruit-harvesting  season  labor  is  very  badly  needed  and 
the  prices  paid  are  correspondingly  high.  The  work  of  packing  the 
fruit  is  done  largely  by  women  and  children.  A  large  part  of  the 
labor  of  harvesting  and  handling  the  fruit  in  the  orchards  is  generally 
performed  by  Indians,  who  are  provided  with  camping  places  in  or 
adjacent  to  the  orchards. 

Little  effort  is  being  made  to  bring  in  new  settlers  or  to  place 
farming  lands  upon  the  market.  Land  can  be  purchased  from  a 
few  dollars  to  $100  or  more  an  acre,  depending  upon  its  condition  of 
improvement  and  adaptability  to  the  production  of  fruit.    Ver}^  little 


SOIL   SUEVEY   OF    THE   REDDING   AREA,   CALIFORNIA,  13 

good  orchard  land  is  now  for  sale,  and  when  offered  high  prices  are 
asked.  Unimproved  land  suitable  for  alfalfa,  truck  crops,  or  orchard 
crops  can  be  secured  at  moderate  prices.  In  the  Happy  Valley  dis- 
trict wooded  land  well  adapted  to  the  production  of  peaches,  grapes, 
or  other  products  of  the  section  can  be  secured  at  a  cost  of  $10  to 
$15  or  more  an  acre.  While  the  expense  of  clearing  off  the  brush  and 
timber  is  high,  store  wood  commands  good  prices  and  will  in  many 
cases  repay  the  cost  of  clearing. 

In  the  Happy  Valley  district  the  size  of  the  farms  and  orchards  is 
generally  small,  often  consisting  of  10,  20,  or  40  acres,  while  in  the 
Anderson  Valley  and  other  sections  some  of  the  orchard  lands  are 
held  in  larger  tracts  of  200  acres  or  more.  The  average  size  of  farms 
in  Shasta  County,  according  to  the  United  States  census  for  1900, 
was  284.3  acres,  77.1  per  cent  of  wliich  were  operated  by  the  owners. 

In  order  to  increase  profits  from  fruit  production,  clean  and  fre- 
quent cultivation  is  necessary  so  as  to  conserve  soil  moisture  during 
the  long  diy  season.  Upon  the  shallower  soils  of  the  uplands  this 
is  of  particular  importance,  and  it  is  believed  some  of  the  failures 
in  the  growing  of  vines  and  trees  might  have  been  avoided  had  a 
more  thorough  sj'stem  of  tillage  been  followed.  The  control  of  dis- 
eases and  insect  pests  by  pruning  and  spraying  is  also  necessary  in 
successful  fruit  production. 

SOILS. 

The  soils  of  the  Redding  area  fall  into  three  natural  divisions,  viz, 
the  soils  of  the  uplands,  of  the  valley  slopes,  and  of  the  stream  bot- 
toms. These  natural  divisions  are  based  upon  phj^siographic,  geo- 
logic, and  agricultural  differences,  although  sharp  lines  of  demarca- 
tion do  not  always  exist. 

As  previously  stated,  the  upland  section  of  the  area  is  elevated 
somewhat  above  the  Sacramento  and  minor  stream  valleys.  It  is 
rolling  or  sloping  in  character  and  is  dissected  by  narrow,  flat- 
bottomed  gulches  and  valleys.  Except  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Still- 
water Plains,  the  uplands  are  generally  wooded  or  covered  with 
brush.  The  section  is  naturalh'  well  drained  and  somewhat  subject 
to  erosions,  with  consequent  loss  of  organic  matter  and  of  the  finer 
mineral  materials.  The  soils,  however,  are  rather  llea^y  in  texture 
and  are  underlain  by  dense,  compact  subsoils  containing  a  large 
percentage  of  plastic,  tenacious  clay  and  more  or  less  indurated 
hardpan,  which,  together  with  the  usual  protective  covering  and  the 
admixture  of  roots,  native  grasses,  and  leaves  from  forest  vegeta- 
tion, resist  the  wearing  action  of  water  coursing  down  the  slopes. 

The  soils  of  the  uplands  are  of  deep-red  color,  gravelly,  and  in  cer- 
tain sections  carry  considerable  quantities  of  cobbles  and  small 
bowlders.  The  gravels  and  cobbles  are  largely  igneous  and  meta- 
morphic  material  and  are  usually  well  rounded  or  flattened. 


14  FIELD    OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    SOILS,    1907. 

The  soils  of  this  part  of  the  area  are  derived  mainly  from  the  Red 
Bluff  formation.  This  formation  has  a  maximimi  thickness  of  more 
than  200  feet  and  consists  of  clays,  sands,  gravels,  and  cobbles,  repre- 
senting alluvial  material  deposited  over  the  valley  by  the  Sacramento 
and  its  tributary  streams  in  former  times,  subsequent  uplift  having 
elevatetl  the  valley  and  caused  the  carving  of  the  more  recent  stream 
valleys.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  Cow  Creek  Valley  small  areas  of  the 
ui)land  soils  are  derived  largely  from  volcanic  tuff,  ranging  in  char- 
acter from  light  gray  and  often  pumiceous  dust  and  finely  abraded 
material  to  andesitic  bowlders,  the  finer  material  predominating 
upon  the  western  side  of  the  valley. '^ 

Considerable  modification  in  the  soil  material  derived  from  the 
Red  Bluff  formation  has  recently  taken  place  by  the  weathering  of 
the  gravels,  which  are  frequently  so  well  decomposed  as  to  be  readily 
broken  up  with  a  light  blow  or  crushed  with  the  fingers.  In  parts 
of  the  upland  plains  exposed  to  the  winds  much  fine  material  has 
been  blown  away,  with  consequent  concentration  of  the  coarser  soil 
particles  and  gravels  at  the  surface. 

The  formation  of  the  hardpan,  of  general  occurrence  in  this  group 
of  soils,  has  taken  place  subsequently  to  the  original  deposition  of 
the  soil  material.  It  is  due  to  concentration  of  the  finer  clay  parti- 
cles in  the  subsoils  by  percolating  waters  and  to  the  partial  cement- 
ing of  this  claylike  material  by  mineral  salts,  largely  silicates  and 
other  salts  of  iron. 

This  hardpan  is  red  to  yellowish-gray  in  color,  from  a  few  inches 
to  several  feet  in  thickness,  and  is  usually  found  at  a  depth  of  18 
inches  to  5  feet,  although  it  may  occur  at  greater  depths  or,  upon 
the  other  hand,  even  outcrop  at  the  surface.  It  may  consist  entirely 
of  fine  material  or  of  a  mass  of  gravels  and  cobbles  inclosed  and  held 
together  by  the  finer  material. 

Three  types  of  soil  occur  in  the  uplands — the  Redding  gravelly 
loam,  the  Redding  loam,  and  Rough  stony  land.  These  soil  types 
merge  gradually  into  one  another  and  into  other  adjacent  types. 
The  separating  of  these  soils  was  therefore  more  or  less  arbitrary. 
The  soil  types  differ  widely  in  adaptation  to  crops  and  in  agricul- 
tural value,  depending  upon  adaptability  to  and  the  facilities  for 
irrigation,  and  the  occurrence,  character,  and  position  of  the  hardpan. 

The  soils  of  the  valley  slopes  consist  of  three  types — two  of  the 
Anderson  series  and  one  local  type,  the  Bellavista  sandy  loam. 
They  usually  are  found  adjacent  to  the  soils  of  the  uplands,  occupy- 
ing the  higher  valley  slopes,  flat-bottomed  gulches,  and  the  valleys  of 
intermittent  streams.     They  are  usually  gray  to  reddish  gray  in  color, 

oFor  further  description  ot  this  formation  and  other  geologic  features,  see  Redding 
Folio,  Geologic  Atlas  of  the  United  States,  published  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 


SOIL   SURVEY   OF   THE   REDDING   AREA,   CALIFORNIA. 


15 


well  drained,  sometimes  sKghtly  gullied,  usually  wooded  or  covered 
mth  brush,  gravelly,  and  generally  free  from  hardpan. 

The  soils  of  tliis  group  are  formed  by  direct  wash  from  the  adja- 
cent upland  slopes  and  by  deposition,  in  the  narrow  stream  valleys, 
of  material  carried  down  by  flood  waters,  the  material  having  been 
transported  for  only  short  distances.  While  often  of  a  pervious  and 
leachy  character  they  are  usually  fairly  well  adapted  to  agriculture. 

Five  types  of  the  stream-bottom  soils  were  encountered,  four  being 
soils  of  the  Sacramento  series,  the  remaining  one  a  nonagricultural 
type,  Riverwash.  These  soils  occupy  the  lower  bottoms  of  the  Sac- 
ramento and  minor  stream  valleys,  varying  in  texture  from  coarse 
sands  and  gravels  to  rather  compact  silt  loams,  and  in  color  from 
Ught  gray  to  dark  brown.  They  are  generally  well  drained  but  sub- 
ject to  overflow,  which  in  case  of  some  of  the  types  occurs  annually. 
The}"  may  be  barren  of  vegetation  in  spots,  but  are  generally  wooded, 
are  often  gravelly  but  free  from  hardpan. 

The  soils  of  this  group  consist  of  recent  stream  deposits,  occurring 
along  present  or  recent  stream  flood  plains,  made  up  of  a  variety  of 
mineral  constituents  wliich  have  been  transported  considerable  dis- 
tances. The  soil  bodies  are  often  small  in  size,  having  an  elongated 
outhne  extending  in  the  direction  of  stream  channels,  and  are  some- 
times subject  to  considerable  modification  by  the  erosive  efl'ects  of 
floods  or  the  further  deposition  of  material  by  flood  waters.  In  agri- 
cultural importance  they  range  from  relatively  worthless  to  the  most 
important  and  valuable  soils  of  the  area. 

The  following  table  gives  the  names  and  areas  of  the  several  soil 
types  shown  on  the  accompanying  maj): 


Areas  of  different  soils. 


Soil. 

Acres. 

Per 
cent. 

Soil. 

Acres. 

Per 
cent. 

Redding  gravelly  .loam 

Anderson  gravelly  loam 

57,216 
14,528 
14,272 

8,384 
7,680 
7,360 

44.7 
11.4  , 
11.1  1 
i 

6.5  i 

6.0 

5.7 

Sacramento  loam 

4,480 
4,480 

3.5 

Riverwash 

3.5 

2.8 

Sacramento  gravelly  sandy 

Bella  vista  sandy  loam 3, 328 

2.  G 
•1  •) 

Total 

Rough  stonv  land 

128,000 

REDDINO    GRAVELLY   LO.\.M. 


The  Redding  gravelly  loam  varies  greatly  in  texture,  structure, 
depth,  and  in  agricultural  importance.  T^^ically  it  consists  of  a 
heavy  sticky  loam  of  fine  silty  texture,  red  to  dark  red  in  color, 
extending  to  a  depth  of  6  to  15  inches,  and  carr^-ing  small  to  rela- 
tively large  quantities  of  subangular,  rounded,  or  flattened  cobbles, 


16  FIELD   OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    SOILS,    1907. 

pebbles,  or  fine  gravelly  material.  In  limited  areas  the  accumula- 
tion of  cobbles  and  gravel  in  the  surface  is  sometimes  excessive,  due 
to  the  removal  of  the  fine  earth  by  wind  action  or  by  erosion. 

Although  the  soil  is  of  a  heavy  tenacious  character,  the  finer  clay 
material  is  generally  flocculated;  which  condition,  together  with  the 
large  quantity  of  gravel,  renders  the  soil  friable,  readily  cultivated, 
and  capable  of  maintaining  an  excellent  tilth. 

A  compact  and  usually  adobelike  heavy  loam  of  deep-red  color, 
carrjang  a  moderate  quantity  of  gravel,  usually  underlies  the  soil  at 
a  depth  of  6  to  15  inches  or  less.  Beneath  this,  at  a  depth  of  18 
inches  to  5  feet,  a  partially  indurated  hardpan,  of  deep-red  color 
sometimes  mottled  with  patches  of  light-gray  clay,  is  found,  although 
in  some  places  the  heavy  loam  may  extend  to  a  depth  of  6  feet. 
The  hardpan  carries  a  large  quantity  of  rounded  gravel  and  cob- 
bles, sometimes  becoming  very  dense  and  hard  and  resembling  con- 
glomerate rock.  Outcrops  of  tliis  material  occur  along  eroded  sur- 
faces or  as  ledges  bordering  ravines  and  gulches  carved  by  intermit- 
tent streams.  Upon  the  other  hand,  it  often  consists  entirely  of 
partially  indurated  or  cemented  fine  claylike  material  of  a  soft 
nature,  quite  readily  penetrated  by  roots,  and  frequently  easily 
broken  up  by  the  fingers. 

The  Redding  gravelly  loam,  which  is  the  prevailing  soil  of  the 
uplands  and  the  most  extensive  tjY>e  of  the  survey,  occurs  as  large 
bodies  occupying  much  of  the  northern  and  western  parts  of  the 
area,  although  smaller  and  irregular  bodies  are  found  in  various  other 
parts  of  the  uplands.  It  is  of  considerable  extent  upon  the  higher 
ancient  valley  plains  and  lower  foothills  bordering  the  more  recent 
valley  of  the  Sacramento  River.  The  surface  is  usually  gently  roll- 
ing or  gently  sloping,  often  minutely  dissected  by  deep  narrow 
ravines  and  gulches  in  wliich  flow  intermittent  streams.  It  usually 
supports  a  moderately  heavy  growth  of  scrub  pine,  oak,  and  cha- 
parral brush  of  the  mountains  and  foothills,  mainly  ceanothus  and 
manzanita. 

The  soil  is  generally  well  drained,  except  in  local  depressions 
where  percolation  is  liindered  by  underlying  hardpan.  The  cost  of 
clearing  is  sometimes  liigh,  but  is  often  nearly  repaid  by  the  value  of 
the  wood  removed. 

The  Redding  gravelly  loam  is  derived  from  early  Pleistocene  allu- 
vial material  deposited  in  the  older  Sacramento  Valley  to  a  great 
depth.  Owing  to  its  friable  structure  and  heavy  subsoil,  the  Redding 
gravelly  loam  has  great  water-holding  capacity.  This  condition  is 
important  and  should  be  augmented  by  frequent  cultivation  and  the 
maintenance  of  a  loose  surface-soil  mulch.  Upon  the  other  hand, 
in  some  places  presence  of  more  or  less  impervious  hardpan  strata 
near  the  surface  arrests  percolation  of  rainfall  and  decreases  the 
water-holding  capacity  of  the  soil.     Where  the  hardpan  is  very  com- 


SOIL   SURVEY   OF    THE   EEDDING   AEEA,   CALIFORNIA.  17 

pact  roots  do  not  penetrate  deeply,  rendering  the  trees  and  plants 
particularly  sensitive  to  drought  if  not  irrigated. 

The  agricultural  value  of  this  soil  type  and  its  adaptation  to  crops 
is  thus  in  a  great  tlegree  dependent  upon  the  occurrence  and  position 
of  the  hardpan.  The  soil  is  not  adapted  to  the  culture  of  prunes  or 
other  deep-rooted  trees.  If  the  hardpan  is  nearer  the  surface  than 
4  or  5  feet  the  planting  of  peaches  or  vines  is  attended  with  consider- 
able risk,  unless  the  layer  is  soft  enough  to  permit  the  roots  to  pene- 
trate it  or  unless  irrigation  is  practiced.  With  adequate  facilities 
for  irrigation  the  deeper  phases  of  the  soil  type  are  among  the  most 
valuable  soils  for  peach  culture  in  the  Redding  area.  Grapes  could 
undoubtedly  be  produced  profitably  in  such  areas  in  commercial 
quantities  without  irrigation  by  proper  care  and  frequent  cultiva- 
tion during  the  dry  season.  Strawberries  and  bramble  fruits  yield 
abundantly,  and  if  irrigated  the  shallower  phases  of  this  soil  not 
adapted  to  tree  fruits  could  be  utilized  for  these  small  fruits. 

Where  orchards  are  to  be  set  out  the  shattering  of  the  underlying 
impenetrable  hardpan  by  the  use  of  moderate  charges  of  explosives 
is  sometimes  resorted  to  in  other  districts  with  beneficial  results. 
For  this  purpose  Hilgard"  recommends  the  use  of  from  one-half  to 
three-fourths  pound  of  No.  2  dynamite  placed  from  3  to  5  feet  below 
the  surface.  Enough  should  be  used  thoroughly  to  break  up  the 
formation,  otherwise  in  particularly  dense  strata  of  considerable 
thickness  the  explosion  may  merely  form  potholes  in  which  perco- 
lating soil  waters  may  collect,  and  give  rise  to  water-logging  and 
unsanitary  conditions  about  the  roots. 

The  careful  examination  of  the  soil  with  reference  to  hardpan  and 
adaptability  for  irrigation  is  obviously  of  great  importance  for  fruit 
growing  in  the  uplands.  It  may  be  said,  however,  that  with  proper 
irrigation  and  cultural  methods  the  fruit  industry  in  the  Happy 
Valley  section  and  in  other  upland  districts  where  the  deeper  soils 
are  found  is  a  reasonably  safe  and  profitable  investment. 

A  fine  silty  phase  of  this  soil  type  occurs  in  which  surface  gravel 
is  absent,  the  color  of  the  soil  ranging  from  a  light  yellowish  gray  to 
dark  brown.  This  material  is  shallow  and  underlain  by  the  typical 
soil  or  by  hardpan.  The  surface  is  frequently  puddled  and  in  the 
dry  season  baked  and  checked.  Such  soil  bodies  occur  upon  the  ele- 
vated upland  plains  in  small  potholes  or  local  drainage  depressions, 
usually  a  few  rods  in  diameter  and  rarely  covering  an  acre  in  extent. 
In  such  local  depressions  percolation  of  rain  or  drainage  waters  is 
usually  arrested  by  the  underlying  hardpan,  leading  to  the  forma- 
tion of  pools  during  the  rainy  season  followed  by  a  baking  of  the  soil 
when  dry. 

aSee  "Soils"  by  E.  W.  Hilgard,  p.  181. 


18 


FIELD   OPEEATIONS   OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 


The  fine  silty  material  in  these  depressions  is  formed  by  the  ac- 
cumulation of  wash  from  the  higher  slopes.  This  phase  of  the  Red- 
ding gravelly  loam  is  nearly  or  entireh^  barren,  and  is  naturally 
unproductive  owing  to  poor  drainage  and  unfavorable  soil  structure. 
To  make  these  depressions  productive  they  must  be  drained  and 
the  compact  puddled  condition  of  the  soil  alleviated  by  the  addition 
of  large  quantities  of  barnyard  manure  or  other  coarse  organic 
matter.  In  cases  where  the  construction  of  drains  is  difficult  or 
impossible,  blasting  the  underlying  hardpan  strata,  as  in  setting 
fruit  trees,  would  probably  promote  percolation  of  the  surface  waters 
and  lead  to  a  permanent  improvement  of  the  soil. 

The  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  fine-earth  samples  of  the  soil 
and  subsoil  are  given  in  the  following  table: 

Mechanical  analyses  of  Redding  gravelly  loam. 


Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse 
sand. 

Medium 
sand. 

Fine       Very  fine       q;,<. 
sand.         sand.          ^'"• 

Clay. 

17851 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
4.9 

4.9 

Per  cent. 
8.3 
8.1 

Per  cent. 
4.8 

5.1 

Per  cent. 
11.0 
14.6 

Per  cent. 
13.2 
12.0 

Per  cent.    Per  cent. 
33. 9              24.  2 

17852 

Subsoil 

32.6              22.0 

REDDING    LO.\M. 


The  Redding  loam  is  quite  similar  in  texture  and  color  to  the  Red- 
ding gravelly  loam,  difl'ering  mainly  in  depth  to  hardpan  and  in  agri- 
cultural importance.  It  consists  typically  of  8  inches  to  12  inches 
of  light-red  or  reddish-gray  loam,  usually  of  fine  and  somewhat  silty 
texture,  l)ut  sometimes  of  light  sandy  character.  It  is  sticky  when 
wet,  somewhat  compact  in  structure,  and  carries  a  moderate  quantity 
of  small  rounded  pebbles. 

The  surface  soil  is  underlain  by  a  heavy,  compact,  tenacious  dark- 
red  clay  loam,  with  little  gravel,  extending  to  a  depth  of  10  inches 
to  3  feet.  In  eroded  districts  the  subsoil  may  appear  very  close  to 
the  surface. 

The  subsoil  is  underlain  by  a  clay  or  sand}^  clay  hardpan,  red  or 
yellowish  gray  in  color,  mottled  with  reddish  yellow,  or  by  a  heavy 
dark-red  or  yellow  clay  containing  hardpan  layers.  The  hardpan 
may  or  may  not  contain  cobbles  or  gravel,  and  is  similar  to  that  of  the 
Redding  gravelly  loam  except  that  it  is  generally  more  dense  and  im- 
pervious and  usually  nearer  the  surface,  sometimes  outcropping 
where  the  surface  soil  has  been  eroded. 

The  Redding  loam  occurs  in  a  few  moderately  extensive  bodies  in 
the  southeastern  .part  of  the  area,  and  merges  almost  imperceptibly 
into  the  adjacent  bodies  of  the  Redding  gravelly  loam  or  is  separated 
from  the  lower  lying  soils  of  the  valley  slopes  and  the  stream  bottoms 
by  bluff  or  terrace  lines.     The  areas  of  this  type  occupy  slightly  slop- 


SOIL    SURVEY    OF    THE    REDDING    AREA,    CALIFORNIA. 


19 


ing,  treeless  sections  of  the  upland  plain.  The  surface  is  frequently 
marked  by  the  presence  of  hog  wallows  and  small  drainage  depres- 
sions occupied  by  pools  of  water  or  by  areas  of  checked  and  puddled 
soils. 

Redding  loam  is  a  sedimentary  soil  derived  from  ancient  alluvium, 
once  filling  the  greater  part  of  theSacramento  Valley  to  a  great  depth. 

Owing  to  the  occurrence  of  hardpan,  the  shallow  nature  of  the  soil, 
and  to  its  position  in  unirrigated  sections  of  the  area,  this  soil  type 
is  of  secondary  agricultural  importance,  being  usually  devoted  to 
grazing  or  to  dry  farming  to  wheat.  In  a  few  favorably  located 
districts,  where  the  deeper  soil  is  found,  small  fruits  and  tree  fruits 
could  be  profitably  grown  under  irrigation,  while  table  and  wine 
grapes  could  probably  be  grown  in  limited  areas  by  thorough  cultiva- 
tion. 

Numerous  attempts  at  fruit  culture  upon  the  shallow  phase  of  the 
Redding  loam  without  irrigation  have  resulted  in  failure,  led  to  dis- 
couragement, and  given  an  erroneous  impression  of  the  Redding 
area  for  fruit  production. 

The  average  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  the  fine  earth  of  the 
soil  and  subsoil  of  the  Redding  loam  are  given  in  the  following  table: 

Mechanical  arialyses  of  Reddiyig  loam. 


Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse 
sand. 

Medium 
sand. 

Fine 
sand. 

Very  fine 
satid. 

Silt. 

Cldy. 

17847,17849 

17848,17850 

Soil 

Subsoil 

Per  cent.    Per  cent. 
4.  4            11.  4 
3.  9              9. 2 

Per  cent. 
5.5 
5.5 

Per  cent. 
13.1 
12.5 

Per  cent. 
14.4 
16.7 

Per  cent. 
34.8 
32.9 

Per  cent. 
16.6 
19.1 

ROUGH    STONY    L.\ND. 


Rough  stony  land  of  the  Redding  area  in  the  character  of  the  soil 
material  is  similar  to  the  bodies  of  the  Redding  gravelly  loam  and 
the  Redding  loam  into  which  it  merges. 

It  consists  of  a  few  inches  to  18  inches  or  more  of  a  light-red, 
gray,  or  yellowish-red  to  deep-red  loam  or  clay  loam  carrying  a  rela- 
tively large  quantity  of  waterworn  cobbles,  small  bowlders,  and 
gravel.  It  is  underlain  by  yellow  or  red  to  gray  clays,  indurated 
clay  hardpan  frequently  carrying  an  excessive  quantity  of  gravel 
and  cobbles  or  by  beds  of  volcanic  ash  and  breccias. 

It  occurs  in  the  northern  and  northeastern  parts  of  the  area  as 
irregular  or  narrow  elongated  bodies  bordering  stream  valleys.  It 
is  usually  separated  from  the  soils  of  the  valley  slopes  and  the  stream 
bottoms  by  high  bluffs  and  rough,  stony  slopes.  It  occupies  the 
higher,  hilly,  and  more  deeply  dissected  sections  of  the  uplands  and 
is  generally  wooded  or  covered  with  more  or  less  brush,  although 
barren  in  some  places. 


20  FIELD    OPEEATIONS    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    SOILS,    1907. 

The  Rough  stony  land  is  derived  from  the  ancient  alluvial  deposits 
of  the  older  valley  and  from  the  underlying  volcanic  muds  and 
breccias. 

Owing  to  the  shallow  nature  of  the  soil,  the  presence  of  hardpan, 
and  the  rough,  unirrigable,  and  stony  character  of  the  country,  it  is 
devoted  only  to  grazing  and  is  generally  unadapted  to  fruits  or  farm 
crops. 

ANDERSON  GRAVELLY  LOAM. 

The  Anderson  gravelly  loam  typically  consists  of  a  moderately 
heavy,  sticky  loam  of  light-red  color,  extending  to  a  depth  of  8  to 
12  inches  and  carrying  a  moderate  quantity  of  small  flattened  or 
rounded  pebbles,  or  cobbles,  and  considerable  fine  subangular  or 
rounded  gravel.  It  is  somewhat  compact  in  structure  but  friable 
when  cultivated.  It  is  sometimes,  however,  very  gravelly  and  of 
lighter  color,  and  in  such  cases  usually  grades  into  the  Sacramento 
gravelly  sandy  loam.  In  other  locations  it  is  of  a  fine,  silty,  compact 
character,  of  deeper  red  color,  and  grades  into  the  adjacent  more 
elevated  soils  of  the  dissected  plains  and  lower  foothills. 

It  is  sometimes  underlain  by  rounded  cobbles  and  stream  gravels 
or  by  heavy,  compact  clay  loam  partially  indurated  and  cemented 
by  lime  and  iron  salts,  and  forming  a  relatively  soft  hardpan.  Usu- 
ally, however,  it  extends  to  the  depth  of  6  feet  or  more,  the  lower 
portion  of  the  section  being  somewhat  finer  in  texture,  of  more 
compact  structure,  and  of  a  deeper  red  color.  Occasionally  it  is 
underlain  by  a  compact,  deep-red  clay  loam.  The  subsoil  is  often 
relatively  free  from  gravel  and  occasional  layers  or  lenses  of  par- 
tially indurated  clay  or  sandy  clay  material  form  a  soft  hardpan 
quite  readily  penetrable  by  roots. 

This  type  occurs  in  numerous  bodies  of  irregular  or  elongated  out- 
line of  moderate  size  occupying  the  more  elevated  valley  plains 
adjacent  to  the  upland  soils,  or  the  narrow  valleys  of  small  inter- 
mittent streams  dissecting  the  uplands.  The  more  extensive  and 
typical  bodies  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  Anderson  and  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  area  extending  southward  from  Redding  to 
Clear  Creek.  Other  bodies  of  more  gravelly  character  and  of  con- 
siderable extent  are  found  in  the  valley  of  Stillwater  Creek  north  of 
Loomis  Corners. 

The  surface  is  nearly  level  or  gently  sloping,  with  minor  irregu- 
larities. It  is  usually  well  drained  and  is  sometimes  scored  by 
erosion  or  cut  by  intermittent  stream  channels. 

The  Anderson  gravelly  loam  usually  supports  a  more  or  less  vigor- 
ous growth  of  timber  and  chaparral  brush.  Except  where  shal- 
low or  of  porous,  leachy  character  it  is  fairly  well  adapted  to  irriga- 
tion and  to  crop  production. 


SOIL   SURVEY    OF    THE    REDDING   AREA,    CALIFORNIA. 


21 


'  The  Anderson  gravelly  loam  is  derived  mainly  from  the  adjacent 
and  more  elevated  formation  of  the  early  stream  gravels  and  sedi- 
ments giving  rise  to  the  soils  of  the  uplands.  It  is  of  rather  recent 
alluvial  origin,  the  material  forming  it  having  been  transported  only 
short  distances  and  distributed  by  the  flood  waters  of  intermittent 
streams.  Under  irrigation  it  is  well  adapted  to  peaches  and  grapes, 
and  if  well  cultivated  in  favorable  locations  produces  fair  yields  of 
these  crops  without  irrigation.  Alfalfa  is  also  grown  to  a  very 
limited  extent  on  some  of  the  irrigated  parts  of  the  type.  Much  of 
this  soil  is,  however,  utilized  only  for  grazing. 

With  thorough  cultivation,  supplemented  when  practicable  by 
irrigation  from  private  reservoirs  or  by  the  pumping  of  ground 
water,  considerable  areas  of  the  less  gravelly  and  porous  bodies  of 
this  soil  type,  now  used  only  for  grazing,  can  eventually  be  rendered 
productive  and  brought  under  cultivation. 

The  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  fine-earth  samples  of  the  soil 
and  subsoil  are  given  in  the  following  table: 


Mechanical  analyses  of  Anderson  gravelly  loam. 

I 
Number.         i  Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse 
sand. 

Medium       Fine 
sand.         sand. 

Very 
fine  sand. 

Silt. 

Clay. 

17224 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
.5.4 

Per  cent. 
10.5 
11.0 

Per  cent.    Per  cent. 
6.  4            21. 9 
8. 9            20.  4 

Per  cent. 
8.1 
6.4 

Per  cent. 

37.5 
37.6 

Per  cent. 
9.9 

17225. 

Subsoil     .  .            .S.  7 

11.7 

ANDERSON  FINE  SANDY  LOAM. 


The  Anderson  fine  sandy  loam  consists  typically  of  a  fine  sandy 
loam  of  light-red  to  grayish-red  color,  generally  carrying  a  moderate 
amount  of  rather  small  subangular  or  waterworn  gravel,  and  extend- 
ing to  a  depth  of  3  to  6  or  more  feet.  It  is  somewhat  porous  and 
friable  and  easily  maintained  in  a  good  condition  of  tilth.  "When  less 
than  6  feet  in  depth  it  is  generally  underlain  by  river  sands  and  gravels, 
although  occasionally  by  hardpans,  clays,  or  volcanic  tuff. 

This  soil  type  is  not  extensive  and  occurs  mainly  as  narrow,  elon- 
gated bodies  occupying  the  bottoms  and  slopes  of  the  narrow  valleys 
of  Churn  and  Stillwater  creeks,  often  grading  quite  imperceptibly  into 
the  adjacent  soil  types. 

The  surface  is  slightly  sloping  but  often  scored  or  pitted  by  erosion, 
or  marked  by  minor  surface  irregularities  or  low  terrace  lines.  It 
usually  supports  a  vigorous  growth  of  timber  and  brush.  Parts  of  the 
lower  lymg  bodies  are  sometimes  subject  to  overflow  during  flood 
periods. 

The  soil  consists  largely  of  the  reworked  material  derived  from  the 
adjacent  red  soils  of  the  uplands,  transported  and  depositeil  by  the 
flood  waters  of  the  minor  streams  along  which  it  occurs. 


22 


FIELD   OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 


The  i^Lnderson  fine  sandj  loam  where  not  subject  to  overflow  is  well 
dramed,  moderately  retentive  of  moisture  under  cultivation,  and  well 
adapted  to  the  production,  with  or  without  irrigation,  of  grapes, 
peaches,  pears,  small  fruits,  and  alfalfa,  although  irrigation  is  advised 
where  practicable.  It  is,  when  cleared,  usually  devoted  to  dry 
farming  to  grain,  or  to  peaches,  prunes,  pears,  and  grapes.  The  yield 
is  generally  somewhat  less  than  upon  the  soils  of  the  Sacramento 
series,  but  the  fruits  produced  are  of  excellent  quality. 

A  considerable  part  of  this  type  is  still  uncleared  of  timber  and 
brush  and  could  be  brought  under  profitable  cultivation. 

The  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  fine-earth  samples  of  the  soil 
and  subsoil  of  the  Anderson  fine  sandy  loam  are  given  in  the  following 

table : 

Mechanical  analyses  of  Anderson  fine  sandy  loam. 


Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse 
sand. 

Medium 
sand. 

Fine 
sand. 

Very  fine 
sand. 

Silt. 

Clay. 

17855 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
0.9 
1.1 

Per  cent. 
4.0 
6.5 

Per  cent. 
5.2 
8.4 

Per  cent. 
29.8 
33.6 

Per  cent. 
19.0 
14.6 

Per  cent. 
31.6 

26.4 

Per  cent. 
10.2 

17856 

Subsoil 

9.9 

BELLAVISTA    SANDY   LOAM. 


The  Bellavista  sandy  loam  is  subject  to  wide  variation  in  texture, 
depth,  and  character  of  underlying  material.  Typically  it  consists 
of  a  light  ash-gray  sandy  loam  of  rather  fine  texture  and  of  some- 
what sticky  character,  extending  to  a  depth  of  1  to  3  feet,  and  under- 
lain by  a  compact,  sandy  clay  of  adobelike  structure.  In  the  vicinity 
of  adjacent  hill  slopes  it  is  generally  gravelly,  the  gravel  consisting  of 
small  subangular  particles  to  large  rounded  cobbles,  and  the  soil  is 
of  a  slightly  coarser  and  lighter  character,  occasionally  extending  to 
the  depth  of  6  feet  or  more. 

Where  it  merges  into  the  Redding  gravelly  loam  and  the  Anderson 
gravelly  loam  it  has  a  reddish  color  and  its  structure  is  more  compact 
and  its  texture  is  finer  and  heavier.  In  the  valley  bottoms  it  is  often 
fine  and  somewhat  silty  in  texture,  and  compact  in  structure,  while 
upon  the  more  elevated  slopes  the  sandy  material  is  rather  coarse  and 
the  soil  sometimes  extends  to  the  depth  of  6  feet  or  more.  The  more 
elevated  bodies  are  frequently  underlain  by  a  coarse,  partially  indu- 
rated sandy  clay  or  clay  hardpan,  or  by  beds  of  volcanic  ash  and  tuff. 
The  soil  is  generally  friable  under  cultivation,  although  numerous, 
small,  puddled  depressions  of  heavy  compact  structure  and  fine  tex- 
ture occur. 

The  Bellavista  sandy  loam  is  not  extensive,  occurring  only  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  the  area  in  the  depression  of  the  Cow  Creek 
Valley,  as  irregular  bodies  adjoining  outcrops  of  volcanic  ash  and 


SOIL    SURVEY    OF    THE    REDDING   AREA,    CALIFORNIA. 


23 


tuff.  It  occupies  nearly  level  or  gently  sloping  narrow  valley  plains 
or  lower  rolling  hill  slopes.  It  is  generally  w^ell  drained  and  often 
covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  oaks  or  chaparral.  The  more  ele- 
vated bodies  are  sometimes  broken  by  outcrops  of  the  underlying 
material  or  marked  by  the  presence  of  cobbles  and  bowlders  and  are 
shallow  and  unproductive. 

The  Bellavista  sandy  loam  owes  its  formation  to  the  erosion  of  the 
adjacent  beds  of  volcanic  ash  and  tuff  and  the  distribution  bv  inter- 
mittent streams  of  this  material  mingled  with  gravels  and  other  soil 
material  derived  from  the  more  elevated  soils  of  the  uplands. 

The  lower  bodies  are  generally  devoted' to  grazing  or  to  dry  farming 
to  grain,  although  such  areas  could  probably  be  planted  to  alfalfa  or  to 
other  irrigated  crops  or  fruits.  The  latter  are  produced  only  to  a 
limited  extent  upon  this  soil  type.  The  more  elevated  areas  are 
usually  suited  for  and  devoted  only  to  grazing. 

The  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  fine-earth  samples  of  the 
soil  and  subsoil  are  shown  in  the  follovring  table: 

Mechanical  analyses  of  Bellavista  sandy  loam. 


Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse      Medium 
sand.     I     sand. 

Fine 
sand. 

Very  fine 
sand. 

Silt. 

Clay. 

17853 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
0.0 
4.0 

Per  cent. 
6.0 
12.1 

Per  cent. 

20.1 

6.6 

Per  cent. 
44.0 
17.0 

Per  cent. 

4.8 
13.0 

Per  cent. 
15.0 
31.2 

Per  cent. 
7.9 
1.5.8 

17854. 

Subsoil 

RIVERW.\SH. 


Riverwash  of  the  Redding  area  varies  greatly  in  character  of  mate- 
rial, consisting  of  coarse  to  fine  river  sands,  waterworn  gravels,  and 
cobbles,  and-  extending  to  the  depth  of  6  feet  or  more.  Generally 
these  materials  are  more  or  less  intermingled,  and  either  the  sandy 
or  gravelly  material  may  predommate  or  may  be  nearly  lackmg  in 
local  areas. 

It  is  an  inextensive  type,  occurring  near  or  occupying  present  or 
abandoned  stream  channels  of  the  Sacramento  River  and  its  tribu- 
tary creeks,  the  more  extensive  bodies  lying  in  the  vicinity  of  and 
southeast  from  Redding.  The  lower  lying  bodies  of  finer  texture 
occurring  adjacent  to  the  Sacramento  River  frequently  support  a 
moderately  heavy  or  dense  growth  of  the  brush  and  timber  usually 
found  in  the  stream  bottoms.  The  surface  is  frequently  more  or 
less  scored  by  erosion  and  the  type  is  generally  subject  to  overflow 
during  flood  periods. 

It  is  of  recent  alluvial  origin,  and,  owing  to  its  position  and  its 
.loose,  leachy,  or  stony  character,  is  unsuited  to  crop  production, 
being  of  no  agricultural  value  except  for  grazing. 


24 


FIELD    OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 


SACRAMENTO    GKAVELLY   SANDY    LOAM. 


The  Sacramento  gravelly  sandy  loam  varies  considerably  in  the 
quantity  and  character  of  its  gravel  content.  From  10  to  30  inches 
it  consists  of  a  light-brown  or  sometimes  slightly  reddish-brown, 
light  sandy  loam  or  slightly  sticky  sandy  loam.  Subangular  or 
rounded  particles  of  fine  gravel  and  sometimes  large  quantities  of 
flattened  or  waterworn  pebbles  or  cobbles  of  many  varieties  of  rocks, 
those  of  volcanic  and  metamorphic  origin  predominating,  are  found 
mingled  with  the  finer  materials. 

It  is  underlain  by  beds  of  waterworn  cobbles  and  gravels  inter- 
mingled with  sands  and  finer  sediments.  Both  soil  and  subsoil  have 
an  open,  porous  structure  and  leachy  character. 

This  soil  is  in  general  of  somewhat  lighter  color  and  heavier  tex- 
ture than  the  Sacramento  gravelly  sandy  loam  of  the  Colusa  area." 

It  occurs  as  inextensive  and  irregular  bodies  adjacent  to  the  Sac- 
ramento River,  as  long,  narrow  strips  in  the  bottoms  of  the  smaller 
valleys,  and  in  the  numerous  gulches  and  ravines  traversing  the  higher 
valley  plains  and  lower  foothills,  extending  sometimes  for  a  distance 
of  several  miles  and  bemg  cut  by  meandering  courses  of  intermittent 
streams.  The  most  extensive  bod}? ,  which  is,  however,  intermingled 
somewhat  with  the  heavier  soil  material  of  the  Anderson  gravelly 
loam,  and  is  not  entirely  typical  of  the  Sacramento  gravelly  sandy 
loam,  occupies  a  large  part  of  the  Clear  Creek  Valley.  The  surface 
is  often  uneven  and  eroded  by  flood  waters  and  frequently  supports 
a  moderately  heavy  growth  of  small  timber  and  brush.  It  is  of 
recent  alluvial  origin,  being  a  deposit  from  the  flood  waters  of  streams. 

When  well  irrigated,  fair  yields  of  peaches  or  other  fruits  and 
alfalfa  may  be  obtained  on  the  heavier  phases  of  the  soil.  It  is, 
however,  of  slight  agricultural  importance,  the  heavier  and  more 
productive  bodies  being  marked  by  very  gravelly,  unproductive 
spots,  and  it  is  generally  utilized  for  grazing. 

The  results  of  a  mechanical  analysis  of  a  fine-earth  sample  of  the 
soil  is  oriven  in  the  followinof  table: 


Mechanical 

analysis 

of  Sacramento  gravelly  sandy  loam 

Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse 
sand. 

Medium 
sand. 

Fine 
sand. 

Very  fine 
sand. 

Silt. 

Clay. 

17859 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
8.0 

Per  cent. 
15.0 

Per  cent. 
9.0 

Percent. 
21.4 

Per  cent. 
15.4 

Per  cent. 
23.9 

Per  cent. 

7.5 

SACRAMENTO    FINE    SANDY    LO.\M. 


The  Sacramento  fine  sandy  loam  consists  typically  of  a  loose,  uni- 
form light  gray,  micaceous  fine  sandy  loam,  usually  but  not  always 

«  See  Soil  Survey  of  the  Colusa  Area,  California.     Field  Operations,  Bureau  of. 
Soils,  1907. 


SOIL   SURVEY    OF    THE    REDDING   AREA,    CALIFORNIA. 


25 


extending  to  a  depth  of  6  feet  or  more.  When  less  than  6  feet  in 
depth  it  is  underlain  by  river  sands  and  gravels.  In  some  places  it 
becomes  somewhat  darker  in  color,  resembling  the  Sacramento  silt 
loam,  and  the  gradual  merging  of  these  two  soil  types  renders  indefi- 
nite the  exact  boundaries  between  them.  The  soil  is  frequently  grav- 
elly, the  gravel  consisting  of  either  waterworn  pebbles  or  cobbles. 
Some  bodies  found  along  the  Sacramento  River  or  its  overflow  chan- 
nels are  coarse  in  texture  and  csirry  considerable  gravel. 

The  subsoil  consists  of  gravels,  rounded  or  flattened  by  stream 
activity,  sometimes  intermingled  ^vith.  coarse  to  fine  sand.  In  places 
where  erosion  has  been  heavy  this  subsoil  outcrops  at  the  surface  in 
streaks,  and  is  worthless  except  for  grazing. 

The  Sacramento  fine  sandy  loam  appears  only  as  small  irregular  or 
narrow  elongated  bodies  lying  near  the  stream  channels  of  the  Sac- 
ramento River  and  a  few  of  its  tributaries,  and  merges  into  the  Sac- 
ramento silt  loam  or  other  adjacent  soil  types.  In  extent  and  in  the 
agriculture  of  the  area  it  is  one  of  the  less  important  types.  It  fre- 
quently supports  a  considerable  timber  growth  and  is  often  scored  by 
erosion  and  subject  to  overflow.  It  is  of  recent  alluvial  origin,  the 
material  being  transported  for  considerable  distances  and  deposited 
by  the  shifting  of  streams  in  time  of  floods. 

The  loose,  porous  nature  of  tliis  soil  allows  good  drainage  where  not 
subject  to  overflow.  The  same  characteristics  render  it  easy  to  main- 
tain in  good  tilth.  It  does  not  retain  very  much  moisture,  antl  fre- 
quent cultivation  during  the  dr}"  season  is  of  great  importance  in  the 
successful  growing  of  fruits.  Where  irrigation  is  adequate  the  more 
elevated  bodies  of  finer  texture  are  well  adapted  to  alfalfa,  or  to 
peaches,  prunes,  or  vegetables.  Tliis  soil  is  generally  used  for  pas- 
ture, although  fruits  and  alfalfa  are  growTi  to  a  limited  extent. 

The  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  the  fine  earth  of  the  soil  and 
subsoil  of  the  Sacramento  fine  sandv  loam  are  given  in  the  folloANing 
table: 

Mechanical  analyses  of  Sacraniento  fine  sandy  loam. 


Number. 

Description. 

Fine      1    Coarse 
gravel.        sand. 

Medium 
sand. 

Fine      Very  fine 
sand.         sand. 

1 

Silt. 

Clay. 

17152 

Soil 

Per  cent. 

0.0 

.0 

Per  cent. 
0.9 
.3 

Per  cent. 
3.9 
2.2 

Per  cent. 
52.3 
41.4 

Per  cent. 
12.9 
12.1 

Per  cent 
24  6 
37.9 

Per  cent. 
6.0 

17153 

Subsoil 

61.7 

SACR.VMENTO    SILT    LOAM. 


The  Sacramento  silt  loam  varies  in  color  from  a  light  or  somewhat 
yellomsh-brown  to  dark-broAMi  or  nearly  drab.  It  consists  typically 
to  6  feet  or  more  of  a  friable,  moderately  porous  micaceous  loam  to 
silt  loam,  often  gravelly,  the  gravel  consisting  of  small  flattened  or 
well-rounded  pebbles. 


26 


FIELD   OPERATIONS   or    THE   BUREAU    OF   SOILS,   1907. 


It  is  of  moderate  extent,  and  in  the  southern  half  of  the  area  is  the 
prevaihng  type  of  the  stream  bottoms.  The  soil  bodies  are  usually 
elongated  in  outline  and  extend  parallel  to  the  courses  of  the  Sacra- 
mento River  and  its  tributaries.  It  supports  a  moderately  heavy 
native  growth  of  oaks,  or  in  the  river  bottoms  the  typical  "jungle" 
growth  of  Cottonwood  and  sycamore  trees,  vnth.  a  dense  undergrowth 
of  bushes  and  vines.  It  is  generally  well  drained,  although  occa- 
sionally subject  to  overflow  by  floods.  The  surface  is  usually  level 
and  well  adapted  to  irrigation,  but  is  sometimes  marked  by  slight 
unevemiess  due  to  erosion  by  flood  waters. 

The  Sacramento  silt  loam,  Hke  the  other  soils  of  the  Sacramento 
series,  is  of  allu\aal  origin,  the  soil  material  having  been  transported 
and  deposited  by  stream  flood  waters. 

It  is  friable  under  cultivation  and  is  easily  maintained  in  good  tilth, 
and  in  such  condition  has  well-marked  moisture-retaining  proper- 
ties. Owing  to  its  deep  friable  nature  and  productive  character,  it  is 
well  adapted  to  the  growing  of  prunes,  peaches,  pears,  grapes,  alfalfa, 
and  vegetables,  the  two  last-mentioned  crops  being  more  successfully 
grown  upon  the  lower  lying  and  more  moist  bodies,  or  where  the  soil 
is  irrigated. 

Prunes,  peaches,  and  pears  are  the  leading  crops  grown  upon  the 
Sacramento  silt  loam,  the  more  productive  orchards  being  in  a  liigh 
state  of  cultivation. 

This  soil  has  played  a  very  important  part  in  the  development  of 
the  fruit  industry  in  the  Anderson  A^ alley  and  is  the  leading  prune 
soil  of  the  area. 

The  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  fine-earth  samples  of  the  soil 
and  subsoil  are  given  below: 


Mechanical  analyses  of  Sacramento  silt  loam. 


Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse   [  Medium 
sand.         sand. 

Fine      ,  Very  fine 
sand.     ]     sand. 

Silt. 

Clay. 

171.iO 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
0.1 
.0 

Per  cent. 
1.2 

Per  cent. 
3.0 

Per  cent.   Per  cent. 

25.  4             11.  8 

26.  3             12.  8 

Per  cent. 
47.9 
47.5 

Per  cent. 
10.3 

17151 

Subsoil 

.7 

2.9 

9.2 

SACRAMENTO    LOAM. 


The  Sacramento  loam  is  typically  a  light  brown  to  drab,  moderately 
sticky  loam  extencUng  to  a  depth  of  6  feet  or  more.  In  its  native 
condition  it  is  somewhat  compact  in  structure  and  bakes  slightly 
during  the  dry  season,  but  under  irrigation  it  is  friable  and  capable 
of  maintaining  a  good  tilth.  It  is  not  extensively  developed  in  the 
Redding  area,  being  found  only  as  a  few  small  irregular  bodies,  the 
largest  of  which  occurs  near  the  center  of  the  area. 


SOIL   SUEVEY   OF   THE   EEDDING   AREA,   CALIFORNIA, 


27 


The  surface  is  nearly  level  or  gently  sloping,  and  the  soil  is  generally 
well  drained,  except  in  the  case  of  some  of  the  smaller  bodies  subject 
to  occasional  overflow,  wliich  frequently  support  a  heavy  growth  of 
timber  and  brush. 

In  origin  and  in  mode  of  formation  it  is  similar  to  the  other  soils 
of  the  Sacramento  series. 

It  is  well  adapted  to  prunes,  pears,  and  under  irrigation  to  alfalfa, 
sugar  beets,  and  truck  crops.  It  is  principally  devoted  to  grazing 
and  dry  farming  to  grain  and  is  well  suited  to  the  culture  of  irrigated 
crops.  It  is  the  most  promising  soil  type  of  this  area  for  the  pro- 
duction of  alfalfa  and  sugar  beets. 

The  following  table  gives  the  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  the 
soil  and  subsoil  of  the  Sacramento  loam : 


Mechanical  analyses  of  Sacramento  loam. 

Number. 

Description. 

Fine 
gravel. 

Coarse 
sand. 

Medium 
sand. 

Fine 
sand. 

Very  fine 
sand. 

Silt. 

Clay. 

17864 

Soil 

Per  cent. 
0. 1 

Per  cent. 
n.  9 

Per  cent. 
2.1 
1  8 

Per  cent. 
19.2 
22.1 

Per  cent. 
21.7 
30.2 

Per  cent. 
42.2 
32.0 

Per  cent. 
13.6 

17865 

Subsoil 

.0                   -9 

13  4 

IRRIGATION. 

The  development  of  irrigation  in  the  Redding  area  has  been  some- 
what retarded  and  is  practiced  only  to  a  limited  extent.  In  the 
uplands  this  is  due  largely  to  the  expense  of  constructing  distributing 
systems  in  the  hilly  sections  or  to  a  limited  water  supply.  In  the 
deeper  moist  soils  of  the  nearly  level  valley  districts  irrigation  is  gen- 
erally unnecessary  for  the  profitable  production  of  the  leading  fruit 
crops.  The  extension  of  irrigation  facilities^  is,  however,  greatly  to 
be  desired,  and  no  insurmountable  difficulties  present  themselves,  at 
least  in  the  most  important  sections  of  the  area. 

While  in  the  Happy  Valley  and  other  upland  districts  attempts 
have  been  made  from  time  to  time  to  produce  fruits  without  irrigation, 
failures  have  resulted  and  the  necessity  of  irrigation  for  successful 
fruit  growing  is  now  generally  recognized. 

The  Happy  Valley  district  is  the  most  extensively  irrigated  section 
of  the  area.  The  water  is  obtained  from  the  creeks  of  the  adjacent 
mountains  upon  the  west  and  is  distributed  by  a  private  company, 
largely  by  means  of  a  system  of  small  canals  and  ditches  formerly 
used  for  conveying  water  for  mining  purposes.  The  water  is  of  good 
quality  for  irrigation.  On  account  of  the  extension  of  the  fruit 
industry  in  this  section,  however,  the  water  supply  during  the  dry 
summer  months  has  become  entirely  inadequate,  and  as  the  cost  of 
water  is  increasing  much  dissatisfaction  is  expressed  by  patrons  of  the 
system.     Tliis  condition  has  created  a  demand  for  an  investii2:ation  of 


28  FIELD    OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BUEEAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 

water  resources  and  the  possibilities  for  the  storage  of  water  in  reser- 
voirs and  its  distribution  under  the  Federal  reclamation  act.  Some 
preliminary  investigations  looking  to  this  end  have  consequently  been 
carried  on.  A  complete  irrigation  system  for  this  section  would  call 
for  long,  sinuous  canals  excavated  through  shallow  rocky  soils  and 
in  the  more  hilly  districts  for  the  construction  of  expensive  flumes 
or  pipe  lines.  Owing,  however,  to  the  ordinarily  impervious  nature 
of  the  subsoils,  only  slight  loss  would  result  from  seepage.  Where 
the  production  of  choice  fruits  plays  so  important  a  part  as  it  does 
here,  the  extension  of  irrigation  facilities  should  commend  itself  as  a 
field  for  investment  of  private  capital  or  as  worthy  of  Federal  aid, 
even  where  the  first  cost  of  installing  irrigation  works  is  relatively 
great. 

In  the  valley  districts  only  a  few  small  isolated  irrigation  systems 
exist.  These  consist  of  an  inextensive  gravity  system,  irrigating  a 
few  small  fruit  and  alfalfa  tracts,  in  the  vicinity  of  Bellavista,  along 
the  western  side  of  the  Cow  Creek  Valley  and  a  number  of  pumping 
plants,  under  private  ownership,  which  irrigate  a  few  acres  of  vege- 
tables or  alfalfa  along  the  Sacramento  River  and  its  tributary  creeks 
from  which  water  is  taken.  The  operation  of  these  plants  has  gener- 
ally proved  profitable.  The  available  supply  of  water  for  pumping 
in  Stillwater  Creek  and  other  small  streams  during  the  summer 
months  is  limited,  though  there  is  a  considerable  underflow  in  the 
channels  of  the  streams  which  might  be  rendered  available  by  sinking 
wells  or  pits.  One  small  steam  pumping  plant  in  the  Stillwater  Creek 
bottoms  used  for  irrigating  a  small  tract  of  alfalfa  is  reported  to  be 
capable  of  throwing  1,000  gallons  per  minute. 

Throughout  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento  and  along  some  of  the 
tributary  creeks  considerable  bodies  of  gently  sloping  land,  admirably 
adapted  to  irrigation  but  now  devoted  only  to  grazing  or  to  dry  farm- 
ing to  grains,  could  be  furnished  with  water  by  gravity  systems  or  by 
pumping,  so  that  the  production  of  truck,  alfalfa,  sugar  beets,  or 
forage  crops  on  the  deep  valley  soils  would  be  greatly  increased. 
Near  the  central  part  of  the  area  irrigation  of  the  deep,  gently  sloping 
lands  is  quite  feasible,  and  its  development  should  be  encouraged.  It 
is  probable  that  irrigation  in  the  valley  as  well  as  in  the  upland  por- 
tions of  the  area  will  be  given  greater  consideration  in  the  future. 

SUMMARY. 

The  Redding  area  has  an  extent  of  about  200  square  miles  and  Hes 
at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  depression  of  the  Sacramento  Valley, 
being  separated  upon  the  south  from  the  Sacramento  Valley  proper 
by  a  low  ridge  of  hills.  It  consists  of  rolhng  or  dissected  uplands, 
often  wooded,  traversed  by  the  Sacramento  River  and  its  tributary 
creeks.  The  greater  part  of  the  area  is  occupied  by  the  upland 
section. 


SOIL   SURVEY   or    THE   REDDING   AREA,   CALIFORNIA.  29 

The  agricultural  population  of  the  northern  and  northeastern  parts 
is  relatively  sparse,  the  most  important  agricultural  districts  of  the 
area  consisting  of  the  Anderson  A^alley  district  and  the  Happy  Valley 
district  of  the  uplands,  lying  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  area. 

Transportation  facilities  are  fair  and  the  mining  centers  upon  the 
north  afford  excellent  local  markets  for  agricultural  products. 

The  summers  are  long,  warm,  and  dry,  and  the  winters  mild  and 
moderately  rainy.  The  climate  is  generally  healthful  and  favorable  to 
crop  production  and  to  the  curing  of  green  and  dried  fruit  products. 

The  settlement  of  the  Redding  area  was  due  mainly  to  the  mining 
excitement  of  1849-50,  the  early  agricultural  products  being  grown  to 
supply  demands  of  the  mining  camps.  The  construction  of  the  rail- 
road furnished  an  outlet  for  agricultural  products  and  the  production 
of  fruits  soon  became  an  industry  of  considerable  commercial  magni- 
tude, developing  first  in  the  Anderson  and  later  in  the  Happy  Valley 
district. 

Green  and  dried  fruits  are  the  principal  products,  prunes  and 
peaches  leading  in  commercial  value,  followed  by  grapes  and  small 
fruits.  Alfalfa  is  grown  to  a  limited  extent  and  commands  excellent 
prices.  Grains  are  produced  on  a  considerable  scale  under  the  dry 
farming  system,  but  the  bulk  of  the  crop  is  cut  green  and  cured  for  hay. 

The  growing  of  pears  has  been  a  profitable  and  important  industry, 
but  is  now  suffering  a  decline  owing  to  the  ravages  of  the  pear  blight, 
which  can  be  checked  and  eradicated  only  by  the  systematic  and 
persistent  cutting  and  the  removal  of  the  infected  parts  of  the  tree. 

The  production  of  prunes  is  confined  to  the  deeper,  moist  soils  of  the 
valleys,  wliile  peaches  find  most  favoral^le  conditions  upon  the  grav- 
elly and  more  shallow  lands  of  the  valley  slopes  and  uplands.  In  the 
upland  sections  there  is  some  possibility  that  commercial  grape  cul- 
ture may  be  extended  to  the  deeper  soils  without  the  need  of  irriga- 
tion if  thorough  cultivation  is  practiced. 

Many  failures  in  the  growing  of  grapes  and  tree  fruits  have  resulted 
from  the  selection  of  thin  and  stony  soils,  the  lack  of  irrigation  facili- 
ties, and  lack  of  proper  care  and  cultivation. 

Labor  conditions  during  the  fruit-harvesting  season  sometimes 
become  serious,  labor  frequently  being  scarce  and  commanding  high 
wages. 

Little  effort  is  made  to  induce  settlers  to  enter  the  area  or  to  effect 
the  subdivision  and  sale  of  the  larger  tracts  of  farming  lands.  Im- 
proved valley  lands  may  be  purchased,  however,  at  fair  prices,  while 
in  the  upland  section  in  the  Happy  Valley  district  wooded  lands  can 
be  bought  at  a  low  figure.  The  cost  of  clearing  is  high  and  the  prod- 
ucts must  be  hauled  some  distance  to  market  or  to  the  nearest  ship- 
ping point,  but  the  cost  of  clearing  is  largely  offset  by  the  value  of 
the  wood  removed,  and  the  country  roads  are  generally  in  good  con- 
dition during  the  fruit-shipping  season. 


30  FIELD   OPERATIONS   OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    SOILS,   1907. 

The  soils  of  the  area  fall  into  three  natural  divisions,  viz,  the  soils 
of  the  uplands,  of  the  valley  slopes,  and  of  the  stream  bottoms. 

The  soils  of  the  uplands  are  generally  red  in  color  and  of  moder- 
ately heavy  texture,  somewhat  gravelly  or  stony,  and  underlain  by 
adobe  subsoils.  Where  cla\"-iron  hardpans  are  found  the  soils  are 
frequently  shallow  and  unproductive,  and  are  derived  from  ancient 
valley  sediments  modified  by  subsequent  weathering,  by  erosion,  and 
by  wind  action.  The  three  upland  soil  types  consist  of  two  soils  of 
the  Redding  series  and  one  nonagricultural  type — Rough  stony  land. 

The  surface  of  the  Redding  gravelly  loam  is  generally  wooded  or 
covered  with  brush  and  is  of  rolling  or  sloping  character,  dissected  by 
numerous  stream  valleys.  It  is  the  prevailing  soil  type  of  the  uplands, 
and  varies  greatly  in  agricultural  value  and  in  adaptation  to  crops. 
Where  the  hardpan  does  not  too  closely  approach  the  surface  and 
where  irrigable,  as  in  the  Happy  Valley  district,  it  is  especially 
adapted  to  the  production  of  peaches,  grapes,  and  berries,  or  to  grape 
culture  without  irrigation.  Peaches  are  the  leading  fruit  crop  of  this 
soil  type. 

The  Redding  loam  is  similar  in  general  features  to  the  Redding 
gravelly  loam,  but  is  usually  of  somewhat  lighter  texture,  and  the  un- 
derlying hardpan  is  of  more  general  occurrence  and  lies  nearer  the 
surface.  It  is  a  relatively  inextensive  soil,  and  owing  to  its  thin 
character  and  to  the  lack  of  irrigation  facilities  is  usually  devoted  only 
to  grazing  or  to  dry  farming  to  grains,  and  is  of  secondary  agricul- 
tural importance. 

Rough  stony  land  is  similar  in  character  of  soil  material  to  the  soils 
of  the  Redding  series,  but  owing  to  the  occurrence  of  hardpan,  its  rough 
topography,  stony  character,  and  lack  of  irrigation  facilities,  it  has 
no  present  agricultural  importance. 

The  soils  of  the  valley  slopes  consist  of  two  types  of  the  Anderson 
series  and  the  Bellavista  sandy  loam.  These  are  formed  mainly  by 
wash  from  adjacent  upland  slopes  and  are  fairly  well  adapted  to 
peaches,  pears,  grapes,  and,  under  irrigation,  to  alfalfa. 

The  Anderson  gravelly  loam  occurs  upon  the  gently  sloping  higher 
valley  plains  adjacent  to  the  soils  of  the  uplands  or  in  narrow  valleys 
of  minor  intermittent  streams.  Several  productive  orchards  occur 
upon  this  "soil  type. 

The  Anderson  fine  sandy  loam  occurs  as  small,  narrow  bodies  in  the 
vicinity  of  Churn  and  Stillwater  creeks.  The  surface  is  frequently 
uneven  and  often  thickly  covered  with  brush  and  timber.  It  is  an 
inextensive  soil  type,  but  supports  a  number  of  small  orchards  pro- 
ducing a  good  quality  of  peaches,  prunes,  and  pears. 

The  Bellavista  sandy  loam  occurs  as  inextensive  bodies  only  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  the  area  in  the  vicinity  of  Cow  Creek,  and  is 
usually  devoted  only  to  grazing  or  to  dry  farming  to  grain. 


SOIL    SURVEY   OF    THE    REDDING   AREA,    CALIFORNIA.  31 

The  soils  of  the  stream  bottoms  consist  of  four  types  of  the  Sacra- 
mento series  and  of  one  nonagricultural  type — Riverwash.  They 
consist  of  recent  alluvial  stream  sediments  occuppnn^  the  lower  parts 
of  the  valleys. 

Riverwash  is  a  mixture  of  fine  to  coarse  sands,  cobbles,  and  gravels, 
occupjang  old  or  present  stream  channels.  It  is  a  relatively  inexten- 
sive  soil  type,  is  subject  to  overflow,  and  is  of  no  agricultural  impor- 
tance. 

The  Sacramento  gravelly  sandy  loam  occurs  as  inextensive  bodies 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Sacramento  River  and  as  narrow  strips  in 
gulches  and  in  the  valleys  of  intermittent  streams.  It  is  usually 
devoted  to  grazing  and  is  of  minor  agricultural  importance,  although 
fruit  is  produced  to  a  small  extent  in  favorable  localities,  and  alfalfa 
might  be  grown  under  copious  irrigation. 

The  Sacramento  fine  sandy  loam  occurs  as  small  bodies  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Sacramento  River  and  its  tributary  creeks.  While 
under  irrigation  it  is  fairly  well  adapted  to  alfalfa  and  to  fruits,  it  is 
usually  devoted  to  grazing  and  is  of  secondary  agricidtural  importance. 

The  Sacramento  silt  loam  is  easily  maintained  in  a  fine  condition  of 
tilth  and  is  well  adapted  to  the  production  of  prunes,  peaches,  pears, 
grapes,  vegetables,  and  alfalfa.  It  is  the  leading  soil  type  of  the  area 
in  the  production  of  prunes,  and  is  in  point  of  extent  and  agricultural 
value  the  most  important  soil  of  the  stream  bottoms. 

The  Sacramento  loam  is  friable  imder  cultivation,  occurring  only 
as  rather  small  bodies  near  the  center  of  the  area.  While  it  is 
usually  devoted  only  to  pasture  or  to  dry  farming  to  grains,  it  is 
excellently  adapted  to  irrigation  and  to  the  culture  of  alfalfa,  sugar 
beets,  or  other  irrigated  crops,  as  well  as  to  fruits. 

The  development  of  irrigation  has,  owing  to  natural  difficulties, 
been  somewhat  slow.  In  the  valley  districts  irrigation  is  usually 
unnecessary  in  the  production  of  fruits,  but  upon  the  upland  jiart  of 
the  area  it  is  essential  to  successful  and  jirofitable  fruit  culture. 

The  Happy  Valley  district  is  the  most  extensively  irrigated  section 
of  the  area,  but  the  present  system  is  inadequate  and  the  cost  of  water 
is  high.  The  extension  of  irrigation  S3^stems  in  this  district  will  be 
costly,  but  as  the  profits  realized  from  the  intensive  production  of 
choice  fruits  will  be  large,  further  development  of  irrigation  should 
be  undertaken. 

In  other  upland  districts  of  the  area  water  resources  are  limited 
and  the  development  of  irrigation  improbable. 

In  the  valley  sections  there  are  a  few  small  irrigation  systems 
operated  by  gravity  or  by  pumping,  but  the  production  of  vegetables 
and  alfalfa  could  be  greatly  increased  by  their  extension. 

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